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March 22, 1918 - Day trip to Arsencourt, Report on Red Cross

Don Martin diary entry for Friday, March 22, 1918: 
Had an interesting trip with [Henri] Bazin of the Philadelphia Ledger. Went to Arsencourt, close to the line. Heard much cannonading. Talked, through Bazin with interesting old French lady who refuses to leave her native village although it is close to the danger line. Also saw the Salvation Army at work close to the line. On way back stopped at Toul; saw the city pretty well; sent a postal to Dorothy and spent a half hour in the old Cathedral. 
Cathedral at Tour, France
Got back to Neufchateau at 5 and wrote an interview with Henry P. Davison, head of the Red Cross. Finished the day at the club with Floyd Gibbons of the Chicago Tribune.
We get reports of beginning of big German offensive at Cambrai.


Weather delightful.
       The Davison interview was written the night of March 22 and finished after midnight so dated Saturday. It was cabled to New York and published in the New York Herald on Sunday, March 24, 1918, with a Don Martin byline!.
RED CROSS READY FOR ANY EMERGENCY SAYS MR. DAVISON
Head of Organization, Now in France, Tells the Herald of Preparedness
By DON MARTIN
[Special to the Herald]
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY AT THE FRONT, Saturday
     "The Red Cross is here before it is needed and is ready for any situation that may arise.” Henry P. Davison, president of the American Red Cross, so stated to-day in an interview for the H E R A L D when I saw him after he had visited important Red Cross stations.
     H e had just finished dinner with a score of men prominent in Red Cross and army organizations and said he would be glad to make a statement to the HERALD.
     "I have been splendidly impressed by things I have seen on my trip. 1 have seen General Pershing and others and am more than delighted at the magnificent way in which the Red Cross and the army are working together.
     “We have things in excellent shape here and are ready to meet any emergency. We are ahead of demands.
     "I came to Europe to see what had been done so as to make a report to the people of America who have so generously given funds to enable the American Red Cross to provide every possible aid and comfort for the soldiers. I feel I can tell them on my return that what they have given has been judiciously spent.
     "Very soon we shall make another campaign to raise funds to expand and continue our work, and I am sure when the people know how well their contributions have been utilized they will gladly lend further financial aid.
     “The American soldiers are full of snap and spirit and have won the praise of the French by their adaptability and eagerness to learn and be part of the great army which is on the way to victory "

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